Management of hypertensive patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors

Most hypertensive patients have additional cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, as stressed in all recent guidelines from expert committees, an evaluation of all risk factors and an assessment of each patient's individual risk status is needed before deciding upon the need for therapy and the type of therapy to be given. In particular, attention must be directed at those risk factors that may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension: obesity, excessive sodium intake, physical inactivity, and stress. If active therapy is needed for established hypertension, all modifiable unhealthy lifestyles should be addressed along with appropriate drug therapy.